Carrier tray for containers



July 28, 1959 M. F. LONGAN 2,896,815

INVENTOR. M/[ 01950 5 10/1 6174 (Em @Cim Nani,

United States Patent 50 CARRIER TRAY FOR CONTAINERS Mildred R'Longan, Baldwin Park, Califi, assignor to Renfro-Franklin Company, Baldwin Park, Calif., a corporation of California.

Application October 11, 1957, Serial No. 689,647 8 Claims. (Cl. 220-117) This invention relates to a wire tray for carrying containers, such traybeing particularly adapted ,for use in carrying cardboard cartons and glass bottles ofmilk.

Trays of the class described generally comprise a bottom wire frame having a plurality of cross wires which support the bottom'of the containers, an upper frame having a plurality of cross wires which define the container receiving areas and which also secure the two layerstogether, and a wire handle, which is customarily secured to both frames.

In the past, one weakness of such trays has been the means of attaching the handle to the tray and particularly to the upper frame thereof. Such attachment customarily comprises spot welding the handle to the upper frame at the point where they cross. Since trays of this type are customarily subjected to considerable use and abuse, the handle will sometimes work loose. This can cause the user to drop oneor more glass bottles and possibly injure himselfl causing legal difliculties for the dairy or other company which furnishes the carrier.

It is accordingly an object of my invention to overcome this weakness by providing a novel structure in which the handle cannot become substantially displaced with respect to the upper name, even a spot weld attachment may come loose. ,In essence, my invention contemplates achieving this result by providing a safety ring or loop which encircles thefhandle adjacent its point of attachment to the upper frame. The loop is spot welded to the upper'frarne at two places'dir ecfly adjacent to the point of attachment of the handle and upper frame. With my construction, "a considerable number of 7 different spot welded attachments would have to work loose before the handle could move substantially with respect to the upper frame] It is therefore an object of my invention to provide an improved construction for carrier trays in which the handle is more securely-attached to the tray.

It is another object of my invention to provide a carrier tray which is ,capable of being stacked upon itself. It is more particularly an objectof myinvention to provide such a stacking tray without in, any wayweakening or deforming any of the structurural parts of the tray. In the past, some stacking trays have been made stackable by cutting or bending the wires of which the tray. is formed or, by failing toprovidecontinuous wires. In essence, my invention contemplates a tray which can be stacked because the handle extends through an open area adjacent the center of the tray, such open area being formed without any wires being cut, shortened or deformed in any y It .is a further object of my invention to provide a car- 'rier tray having a handle structure .with a protective ring, with the handle structure being doubled for added strengthand safety, both handles being enclosed within the protective ring. v

It is accordingly among the objects of my' invention to provide a carrier tray having all of the advantages and benefits of the structures set forth above. It is a 2,896,815 Patented Jul 28, 1959 "ice further object of my invention to provide such trays which are simple and economical to manufacture and which are strong and safe to use.

My invention also comprises such other objects, advan: tages and capabilities as will later more fully appear and which are inherently possessed by my invention.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings preferred embodiments of my invention, it' should be understood that the same are susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

, Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of a pair of trays of the type shown in Fig. 1, stacked one on top of the other.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the handle and center portions of an alternative embodiment of my invention.

A preferred embodiment which has been selected to illustrate my invention comprises a substantially rectangular bottom frame 10, which is preferably formed of wire. A plurality of straight support, wires 11 extend longitudinally across the bottom frame 10. The support wires 11 have loops 12 formed at their opposite ends, such loops 12 extending around the ends of the bottom frame 10 and being spot welded thereto.

, An identically formed upper frame 13 is disposed above the bottom frame 10. A pair of spacer wires 14 have their midportions extending transversely across the upper frame 13, with their end portions 15 being'bent at a right angle to provide side members which extend vertically downwardly from the upper frame 13 to the bottom frame 10. The ends of the spacer wires 14 have loops 16 formed at their opposite ends, such loops -16 extending around the sides of the bottom frame 10 and being spot welded thereto. The portions of the spacer wires 14 which cross the sides of the upper frame 13 are spot welded thereto.

A pair of parallel center wires 17 extend longitudinally from one end of the upper frame13 to the other. The ends of the center wires 17 are joined in a pair of safety loops or rings 18', which protrude slightly beyond the ends .of the upper frame 13. The portions of the center wires 17 which cross the spacer wires 14 are spot welded thereto. The end portions of the center wires 17 adjacent the rings 18 are spot welded to the ends of the upper frame, 13. a a a A handle 19 has a pair of loops 29 at its opposite ends which extend around the midportions of the ends of the bottom frame 10 and which are spot welded thereto. Extending vertically upwardly from the loops 20 are a pair of side portions 21, which extend to the upper frame 13, passing through the rings 18 and being'spot welded to the midportions of the ends of the upper frame 13. The handle 19 continues with a pair of angular portions 22 which extend inwardly and slightly upwardly to a point slightly toward the center of the tray from the spacer wires 14. From these points, the handle 19 extends vertically upwardly to provide a pair of parallel upright portions 23, which are joined at their upper ends by a horizontal bail 24. The width of the bail 24 is slightly less than the distance between the spacer wires 14.

While the component parts forming my tray are preferably formed. of metal wire and are preferably integral in the manner shown and described, it should be understood that other suitable materials may be used and that the structural details may be varied or several pieces joined together or combined, to serve the purposes de scribed. i

It will be noted that with this structure, the handle 19 is securely held against displacement from the upper frame. If the spot weld attachment securing the handle 19 to the upper frame 13 should come loose, the ring 18 would prevent any substantial movement of the handle 19. If one or both of the spot welds between the center wires 17 and the end of the upper frame 13 came loose, the center wires would still be held by the welded attachmerits Where they cross-the spacer wires 14Qas well as the attachments at the other end of the frame. It is thus substantially impossible for the handle 19 to come loose without almosttotal destruction of the tray.

Another-advantage of my structure is that the trays can be stacked one on top of another. This is possible because the distance between the upright portions 23 of the handle 19 is less than the distance between the spacer wires 14. Thus, when one tray is placed on top of another, the upper portion of the handle passes through the open space between the support wires 11 of the bottom frame and then through the open portion of the upper frame 13 defined by the spacer wires 14 and the center wires 17. 1

Another embodiment of my invention provides'added strength and safety by including a second handle 19a, which is formed identically with the above described handle 19.' The handles 19 and 19a are both secured to the tray in the same manner and are also spot welded to each other, preferably adjacent the upper end of the upright portions 23 and 23a. A name plate 30 extends between the upright portions 23 or 23a of either of the handles and is spot welded thereto. In use, decalcomania or other label may be applied to the name plate 30 to identify the dairy or other company which owns the tray. The double handle structure provides added strength for carrying heavy loads and makes the tray easier to grip and carry. It should be noted thatboth of thehandles 19 and 19a extend through the safety rings 18 and are held against displacement in the manner described above.

I'claim:

1. A wire tray for carrying containers comprising a substantially rectangular bottom frame, four support wires extending longitudinally across said bottom frame from one end thereof to the other, each of said support wires having a pair of loops at its opposite ends,rsaid loops extending around the ends of said bottom frame and being secured thereto, two of said support wires being disposed on one side of said bottom frame and spaced from said bottom frame and from each other, the other two of said support wires being disposed on the other side of'said bottom frame and spaced from said bottom frame and from each other, said support wires being parallel to the sides of said bottom frame, the area adjacent the center of said bottom frame being open, a substantially rectangular upper frame disposed above said bottom frame and spaced therefrom, a pair of spacer wires extending transversely across said upper frame from one sidethereof to the other, each of said spacer wires having a side portion extending substantially vertically from said upper frame to said lower frame, each of said spacer wires having a pair of loops at its opposite ends, said loops extending around and being secured to the sides of saidbot-tom frame, said spacer wires being substantially equidistantly spaced from the ends of said upper frame andfrom each other, said spacer Wires extending parallel to the ends of said upper frame, the portions of said spacer wires which cross said upper frame being secured thereto, a pair of center wiresextending parallel to the sides of said upper frame adjacent and on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of said upper frame from one end of said frame to the other, the ends of said center wires extending beyond the ends of said upper frame to form a pair of rings joining the ends of said center wires, said rings protruding slightly beyond the ends of said upper frame, each of said center wires being secured to said spacer wires'and to the ends of said upper frame ad jacent the midportions thereof, and a handle havinga pairof loops at its opposite ends, said loops extending around and being secured to the :ends :of said bottom frame adjacent the midportions thereof, said handle having side portions extending vertically upwardly from said bottom frame to said upper frame, the upper ends of said side portions being secured. to the ends of said upper frame adjacent the midportions thereof, said handle having a pair of angular portions which extend inwardly and upwardly from the ends ofsaidupper frame toward the center thereof, said handle having a pair of upright portions which extend vertically upwardly from the inner ends of said angular portions above the center of said upper frame, said upright portions being joined at their upperends by a horizontal bail, said upright portions being spaced apart from each other a distance less than the distance between said spacer wires, so that the handle of one tray can extend through the open space adjacent the center of the bottom and upper frames of an identically formed tray disposed thereabove, the opposite sides of said handle extending through said rings, so that said rings prevent displacement of said handle with respect to said upper frame. 1

2. A wire tray for carrying containers comprising a substantially rectangular bottom frame, a plurality of support wires extending longitudinally across said bottom frame from one end thereof to the other, each of said support wires having a pair of loops at its opposite ends, said loops extending around the ends of said bottom frame and being secured thereto, the area adjacent the center of said bottom frame being open, a substantially rectangular upper frame disposed above said bottom frame and spaced therefrom, a pair of spacer wires extending transversely across said upper frame from one side thereof to the other, each of said spacer wires havinga side portion extending from said upper frame to said bottom frame, each of said spacer wires having a pair of loops at its opposite ends, said loops extending around and being secured to the sides of said bottom frame, said spacer Wires extending parallel to the ends of said upper frame, the portions of said spacer wires which cross said upper frame being secured thereto, a pair of center wires extending parallel to the sides of said upper frameadjacent and on opposite sides of the longitudinal .axis of said upper frame, said center Wires extending from one end of said upper frame to the other, the ends of said center wires extending beyond the ends of said upper frame to form a pair of rings joining the ends of said center wires, said rings protruding slightly beyond the ends of said upper frame, each of said center wires :being secured to said spacer wires and to the ends of said upper frame adjacent the midportions thereof, and a handle having a pair of loops at-its opposite ends, said loops extending around and being'secured to the ends ofsaid bottom frame adjacent the midportions thereof, said handle having side'portions extending vertically upwardly from said bottom frame to said upper frame, the upper ends of said side portionsbeing secured to the ends of said upper frame adjacent the midportions thereof, said handle having a pair of upright portions which extend vertically upwardly above the center of said upper frame, said upright portions being joined at their upper ends by a bail, said upright portions being spaced apart'from each other a distance less than the distance between said spacer wires, so-thatthe handlelof one tray can extend through the open space adjacent the center of the bottom and upper frames of an identically formed tray disposed thereabove, the oppositeLsides of said handle extending through said rings, so that said rings prevent displacement of" said handle with respect to'said upper frame. V

3. A wire tray for carrying containers comprising a substantially rectangular bottom frame, a plurality of support wires extendingtacross said bottom frame, the area adjacent the center of said bottom frame being open, a substantially rectangular upper frame disposed above said bottom frame andspaced therefrom, a plurality of spacer wires extending transverselyacross said upper frame from one side thereof to the other, a pair of center wires extending parallel to the sides of said upper frame adjacent and on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of said upper frame, said center wires extending from one. end of said upper frame tothe other, theends of said center wires extending beyond the ends of said upper frame to form a pair of rings joining the ends of said center wires, said rings protruding slightly beyond the ends of said upper frame, each of said center wires being securedto said spacer wires and to the ends of said upper frame adjacent the midportions thereof, and a handle secured at its opposite ends to the ends of said bottom frame, said handle having side portions extending from said bottom frame to said upper frame, the upper ends of said side portions being secured to the ends of said upper frame, said handle having a pair of upright portions which extend vertically upwardly above the center of said upper frame, said upright portions being joined at their upper ends by a bail, said upright portions being spaced apart from each other a distance less than the distance between said spacer wires, so that the handle of one tray can extend through the open space adjacent'the center of the bottom. and upper frames of an identically formed tray disposed thereabove, said handle extending through both of said rings, so that said rings prevent displacement of said handle with respect to said upper frame.

4. A wire tray for carrying containers comprising a substantially rectangular bottom frame, a plurality of support wires extending across said bottom frame, the area adjacent the center of said bottom frame being open, a substantially rectangular upper frame disposed above said bottom frame and spaced therefrom, at least one spacer wire extending transversely across said upper frame from one side thereof to the other, a pair of center wires extending parallel to the sides of said upper frame adjacent and on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of said upper frame, said center wires extending from one end of said upper frame to the other, the ends of said center wires extending beyond the ends of said upper frame to form a pair of rings joining the ends of said center wires, said rings protruding slightly beyond the ends of said upper frame, each of said center wires being secured to said spacer wire and to the ends of said upper frame adjacent the midportions thereof, and a handle secured at its op- .posite ends to the ends of said bottom frame, said handle having side portions extending from said bottom frame to said upper frame, the upper ends of said side portions being secured to the ends of said upper frame, said handle having a pair of upright portions which extend vertically upwardly above the center of said upper frame, said upright portions being joined at their upper ends by a bail, said upper frame having an open space adjacent the center thereof between said center wires so that the handle of one tray can extend through the open spaces adjacent the center of the bottom and upper frames of an identically formed tray disposed thereabove, said handle extending through both of said rings, so that said rings prevent displacement of said handle with respect to said upper frame.

5. A wire tray for carrying containers comprising a substantially rectangular bottom frame, a plurality of support wires extending across said bottom frame, a substantially rectangular upper frame disposed above said bottom frame and spaced therefrom, a plurality of spacer wires extending transversely across said upper frame from one side thereof to the other, a pair of center Wires extending parallel to the sides of said upper frame adjacent and on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of said upper frame, the ends of said center wires extending horizontally beyond the ends of said upper frame and being joined together to form a pair of loops, said loops being intersected by the ends of said upper frame to form a pair of rings, said rings protruding slightly beyond the ends of said upper frame, said center wires being secured to said spacer wires and to the portions of the ends of said upper frame which intersect said loops, and a handle secured at its opposite ends to the ends of said bottom frame, said handle having side portions extending upwardly from said bottom frame past said upper frame, the side'portionsof said handle extendingthrough said rings and being secured to the portions of. the ends of said upper frame which intersectsaid loops,said rings preventing displacement of said handle with respect to said upper frame, in the event the side portions of said handle become disconnected from said upper frame.

6. A wire tray for carrying containers comprising a substantially rectangular bottom frame, a plurality of support wires extending across said bottom frame, a substantially rectangular upper frame disposed above said bottom frame and spaced therefrom, a pair of center wires extending parallel to the sides of said upper frame adjacent and on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of said upper frame, the ends of said center wires extending horizontally beyond the ends of said upper frame and being joined together to form a pair of loops, said loops being intersected by the ends of said upper frame to form a pair of rings, said rings protruding slightly beyond the ends of said upper frame, said center wires being secured to the portions of the ends of said upper frame which intersect said loops, and a handle secured at its opposite ends to the ends of said bottom frame, said handle having side portions extending upwardly from said bottom frame past said upper frame, the side portions of said handle extending through said rings between said loops and the portions of the ends of said upper frame which intersect said loops so that said rings preventing displacement of said handle with respect to said upper frame in the event the side portions of said handle become disconnected from said upper frame.

7. A wire tray for carrying containers comprising a substantially rectangular bottom frame, a plurality of support wires extending across said bottom frame, a substantially rectangular upper frame disposed above said bottom frame and spaced therefrom, a pair of center wires extending across the center of said upper frame parallel to the sides of said upper frame, the ends of said center wires extending horizontally beyond the ends ofsaid upper frame and being joined together to form a pair of loops, said loops being intersected by the ends of said upper frame to form a pair of rings, said center wires being secured to the portions of the ends of said upper frame which intersect said loops, and a handle secured at its opposite ends to the ends of said bottom frame, said handle having side portions extending upwardly from said bottom frame past said upper frame, the side portions of said handle extending through said rings and being secured to the portions of the ends of said upper frame which intersect said loops, said rings preventing displacement of said handle with respect to said upper frame, in the event the side portions of said handle become disconnected from said upper frame.

8. A wire tray for carrying containers comprising a substantially rectangular bottom frame, a plurality of support wires extending across said bottom frame, the area adjacent the center of said bottom frame being open, a substantially rectangular upper frame disposed above said bottom frame and spaced therefrom, a plurality of spacer wires extending transversely across said upper frame from one side thereof to the other, a pair of center wires extending parallel to the sides of said upper frame adjacent and on opposite sides of the longitudinal axis of said upper frame, said center wires extending from one end of said upper frame to the other, each of said center wires being secured to said spacer wires and to the ends of said upper frame adjacent the midportions thereof, and a handle secured at its opposite ends to the ends of said bottom frame, said handle having side portions extending from said bottom frame to said upper frame, the upper ,ends of said side portions being secured to the ends of said upper frame, said handle having a pair of upright portions which extend vertically upwardly above the center of said upperframe,

I said upright portions being joined at their upper ends by a bail, said upright portions being spaced'apart from each other a distance ,less than the distance between said spacer Wires, so that the handle of one tray can extend through the open space adjacent the center of the bottom and upper frames of an identically formed tray'disposed thereabove'.

References Cited in the file of this patent a i U H D' I S AT I 5 72,503,377 Mayers et a1.a Ji11y :15, 1952 2,784,870 QJones 7;. Mar. 12,1957 

